Griffiths, a prominent legal figure in the United Kingdom, was widely known for his fierce advocacy, eloquence, and legal acumen.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands – The Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone (RSCSL) has announced the death of renowned British barrister Courtenay Griffiths, KC, who served as Lead Defence Counsel for former Liberian President Charles Ghankay Taylor during his landmark war crimes trial.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh
Griffiths passed away at the age of 69. The circumstances of his death have not been disclosed. He was appointed as pro bono counsel for Taylor on 31 August 2023, at the former president’s request, and had previously served as his Lead Counsel from July 2007 until the conclusion of the trial phase in May 2012, when the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) sat in The Hague under a UN mandate.
Griffiths, a prominent legal figure in the United Kingdom, was widely known for his fierce advocacy, eloquence, and legal acumen. He practiced before the Bar of England and Wales and took on several high-profile criminal cases throughout his distinguished career.
RSCSL Principal Defender Ibrahim Yilla described Griffiths as “unyielding and eloquent beyond measure in presenting his case before the Special Court.” RSCSL President Justice Richard Lussick remembered him as “a fine lawyer,” while Registrar Binta Mansaray paid tribute, calling him “forceful and kind.”
In a brief statement, the RSCSL extended heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, and all who admired his commitment to justice.
“May he rest in eternal peace,” the statement concluded.
The Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone, based in The Hague, succeeded the original tribunal after its mandate ended in December 2013. It continues to oversee obligations such as the supervision of prison sentences, witness protection, archival preservation, and support for national prosecutions arising from the Sierra Leone civil war.
Griffiths’ work during Taylor’s trial was a pivotal part of the decade-long pursuit of accountability for crimes committed during the brutal West African conflicts, particularly the Sierra Leonean civil war, in which Taylor was found guilty of aiding and abetting war crimes and crimes against humanity. He was sentenced to 50 years in prison and is currently serving his sentence in the United Kingdom.
Griffiths’ legacy remains etched in the history of international criminal justice—as a passionate defender, a principled legal practitioner, and a formidable courtroom presence during one of Africa’s most consequential war crimes trials.
